travails, and
care taken for me; which though they have not taken effect as
you wished, yet my debt to you is not the less; but pay it I
never shall in this world. Secondly, I beseech you, for the love
you bare me living, do not hide yourself many days, but by your
travels seek to help your miserable fortunes, and the right of
your poor child. Thy mourning cannot avail me, I am but dust.
Thirdly, you shall understand that my land was conveyed _bona
fide_ to my child: the Writings were drawn at Midsummer was
twelve months, my honest cousin Brett can testify so much, and
Dolberry too can remember somewhat therein. And I trust my blood
will quench their malice that have cruelly murdered me, and that
they will not seek also to kill thee and thine with extreme
poverty. To what friend to direct thee I know not, for all mine
have left me in the true time of trial. And I perceive that my
death was determined from the first day. Most sorry I am, God
knows, that being thus surprised with death I can leave you in
no better estate. God is my witness, I meant you all my office
of wines, or all that I could have purchased by selling it,
half my stuff, and all my jewels, but some one for the boy; but
God hath prevented all my resolutions, that great God that
ruleth all in all: but if you can live free from want, care for
no more, the rest is but vanity. Love God, and begin betimes to
repose yourself upon him, and therein shall you find true and
lasting riches and endless comfort: for the rest, when you have
travelled and wearied your thoughts over all sorts of worldly
cogitations, you shall but sit down by sorrow in the end. Teach
your son also to love and fear God whilst he is yet young, that
the fear of God may grow with him; and then God will be a
husband to you, and a father to him; a husband and a father that
cannot be taken from you. Baily oweth me L500 and Adrian L600 in
Jersey. I also have much owing me besides. The arrearages of the
wines will pay your debts. And howsoever you do, for my soul's
sake, pay all poor men. When I am gone, no doubt you shall be
sought to, for the world thinks I was very rich. But take heed
of the pretences of men, and their affections, for they last not
but in honest and worthy men; and no greater misery can befall
you in this life than to become a pre